Food security improves in Sudan despite conflicts

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Most parts of Sudan, including war-ravaged areas, are witnessing improved food security, a report prepared by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in collaboration with humanitarian partners, said here Friday.

Quoting the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) November 2012 report, OCHA said an “above-average harvest has resulted in slight food security improvements forecast for most parts of Sudan between December 2012 and March 2013".

It pointed out that the improvement in food supply occurred despite ongoing conflicts in many areas, localized pest infestations, and flooding.

It, however, said that in the meantime about 3.5 million people continue to experience ’crisis’ levels of food insecurity, which correspond with Phases two and three of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) levels of food insecurity.

According to FEWS NET, in conflict-affected areas of South Kordufan, Blue Nile and Darfur only slight improvements in food security are expected.

In areas controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in South Kordufan, food security is forecast to improve from ‘crisis’ to ‘stressed’ levels among residents and from ‘emergency’ to ‘crisis’ levels among displaced people.

In Darfur, although a considerable number of displaced people have cultivated this year, some displaced people who were recently displaced or failed to cultivate due to insecurity will face difficulties meeting their minimum food requirements without external assistance, the report said.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 7Dec2012